UK Youth Parliament highlight concerns with current voting age 4th May 2018

UK Youth Parliament have highlighted their concerns with the current voting age in response to the May local Elections which took place on Thursday 3rd May 2018 without 16 and 17 year olds.

Thousands of 16 and 17 year olds were denied a vote in the elections taking place in England. Several elections were held within England, with elections to all 32 London boroughs, 34 metropolitan boroughs, 68 district and borough councils and 17 unitary authorities. Young people also missed out on the mayoral elections taking place Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Watford and the combined authority mayoral elections in the Sheffield City Region.

Mun Wu, Member of Youth Parliament for Liverpool said: “Young people have consistently highlighted the voting age as a concern. Yet again 16 and 17 year olds were denied a vote at the ballot box. It seems completely unjust to entrust Scottish 16 and 17 year olds and not others.

“We must see 16 and 17 year olds voting in all elections and referenda as soon as possible.”